Man arrested for allegedly assaulting his wife over a “secret lover”

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On November 28, 2023, a woman contacted the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) claiming that her husband assaulted her because he suspected that she had a “secret lover”.

Paeaia Isaako was arrested and charged with the following:

Count 1: Private Peace Disturbance, a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment of up to fifteen (15) days, a fine of $300.00 not less than $150, or both.

Count 2: Assault in the Third Degree (DV), a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to one (1) year, a fine of $1,000, or both.

Count 3: False Imprisonment (DV), a class A misdemeanor, punishable by a term of imprisonment up to twelve (12) months, a fine of up to $1,000 but not less than $150, or both.

Defendant’s bail was set at $2,000.

According to the affidavit, on November 28, 2023, a woman called the TPS to report that her husband assaulted her at their home.

Upon arrival at the scene, police officers met up with the woman who directed the officers into her home where her husband was hiding.

Police officers apprehended the defendant in the bathroom where he was found hiding. He was then placed into the police unit.

Officers were able to interview the victim at the scene and she stated that “she had an argument with her husband due to him assuming that she had a secret lover.”

She explained that the defendant pushed her onto the bed and she alleged that he strangled her with his hands. She was able to get away from him but he got a hold of her again and continued to strangle her but this time she was able to break away from his hold.

She said that her husband also threatened to stab her with a knife and that’s when she called the TPS for assistance, the report stated.

The victim also told police she doesn't want her husband to come back to her family’s home. She also refused to seek medical treatment, despite sustaining scratches on her face and left forearm.

The defendant was transported to TPS, where he was Mirandized, waived his rights, and agreed to give a statement.

According to the defendant, his friend was about to drop him off at his wife’s home and he called her, asking if she needed a ride home. He was told that his wife had gotten off work early. He then went home and waited for his wife to come home.

He explained that when she got home they got into an argument and he admitted to strangling her and trying to hit her with a laundry basket while inside their room.

The defendant was booked at the TPS and later transported and confined at the Tafuna Correctional Facility waiting for the next sitting of the court.